Lockdown, i.e. limiting leaving the house, continues in many places around the world with varying intensity depending on the current epidemic situation. Due to COVID-19 – an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus, some large corporations, smaller companies, but also government and non-governmental institutions have decided to switch to a remote work model. In order to maintain its operations in these conditions, some tasks were assigned to … chatbots.
WHO and Facebook Messenger
To better communicate CODID-19, the World Health Organization has taken advantage of Facebook’s global footprint to launch a version of Facebook Messenger on its WHO Health Alert platform, offering immediate and accurate data on the pandemic.
The interactive WHO Health Alert service can currently be accessed in English, French, Spanish and Arabic via the official WHO Facebook page by selecting “Send Message” or by clicking on the dedicated Messenger link. As announced by the WHO, further language versions are a matter of time.
Thanks to the chatbot, we will not only verify rumors, deal with myths about the pandemic, but above all, we will learn the latest statistics, news, information on travel opportunities and find answers to the questions we ask ourselves. Just click here.
The World Health Organization says that by switching to Facebook Messenger and other related communication channels, WHO Health Alert can reach as many as 4.2 billion people – thereby helping Facebook users protect themselves from COVID-19, prevent its spread and understand the facts related to the disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Microsoft
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled out a bot to help people decide what to do if they have potential COVID-19 symptoms. The bot received a graceful female name – Clara.
Clara, serving stakeholders e.g. on Facebook Messenger, however, it is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The questions guide users through symptoms and then recommendations are made if someone needs medical care. You can also find a lot of advice there, just click here.
Prime Minister’s Office
Poland is not lagging behind in this field. The chatbot was also prepared by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and is available on its official Facebook profile. It allows you to quickly get the most up-to-date, verified and official information on the coronavirus epidemic and the countermeasures taken by the government. Thanks to this, Messenger and Facebook users will learn, among others, about where to get help, about preventive measures to help protect against the virus or about regulations related to closing borders. How it works? Check it out here.
Lufthansa and the entire aviation industry
Only the German Lufthansa carries over 10 million passengers a month. In a situation where most flights have been canceled or postponed, the number of questions from travelers is huge, it can even be scary. That is why the Germans decided that the main task of their chatbot – the nice Elisa – will be to handle these queries. To use its help, just turn on – how else – Messenger.
Of course, Elisa informs at the beginning that she is currently unable to respond to complaints and claims on this channel, but many of our doubts can be resolved. Some other airlines have also opted for similar solutions.
Dr. Green and recruiting
Although this is not an example straight from the coronavirus era – but just before – it shows in which direction medium-sized companies and corporations can and do go, in which recruitment lasts all year round. Dr Green’s chatbot recruited for two positions – Brand Ambassador and Customer Advisors. Unlike standard job interviews, these interviews were held using Messenger, took a maximum of several dozen minutes, and participation in the recruitment process was possible from anywhere in the world and at any time.
Whim or requirement?
Chatbot, long considered by some to be a technological whim, can be of key importance during a pandemic for many companies: it supports or even maintains the functioning of the company, becoming a virtual assistant. Importantly, it does not need protective clothing, sleep and meals. When direct, personal contact with consumers and customers is a threat, it offers help while fully maintaining safety standards.
